Around 2,000 spectators filled the stands at the Angelstone show jumping facility here July 9 to 13 for the annual Headwaters Cup and Super Saturday Grand Prix event.
Taking home the $50,000 title prize was Andrew Bourns of Ireland and his horse Chacco’s Goldy.
He won both the FEI Open Welcome July 10 and the FEI Grand Prix July 12. A close second went to Erynn Ballard of Hillsburgh on Appy Cara, with third awarded to Liubov Kochetova of Russia on Balou Du Reventon.
The July 12 festivities started at 4pm with the Horseless Horse show in the derby ring, featuring teams of four children competing in a relay race over the course for the chance to win $500.
This was followed by a public course walk before the Grand Prix got underway, which was followed by a dueling piano show at the venue’s Cloud9 bar.
Whether an equine enthusiast or not, director of sponsorship and public relations Lianne Selke says there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Angelstone International Show Jumping Tournaments, especially during the Super Saturday events.
“It’s a free event that literally applies to everybody,” Selke said.
“It’s a family fun event, it’s perfect for date night and we’ve got our VIP (area) for the people that really like to have a high end evening. We really offer the entire demographic something.”
New members and visitors are always welcome, and encouraged by staff and participants.
“It’s a really fun community to be a part of, and I think it’s got two levels to it. Because you can be a fan of the sport, you can be a fan of a rider, and you can be a fan of a specific horse. So it’s kind of interactive and fun in that way.”
The facility also prides itself on being a strong advocate for the pursuits of youth in the community, offering a $7,500 scholarship to a student under 18 years of age every year through their Commitment to Educate (CTE) program, and advancement opportunities through their riding academy.
“I think it all starts with a love of animals … and it goes from there,” says Selke.
“It’s a sport that promotes such healthy competitive spirit, because it’s based on your own performance and it’s doing your best.”
The scholarship is unique in that it is open to anyone who attends a show at Angelstone. During the horse show, hopefuls fill out an application and pick the rider they believe will win that night.
If their choice finishes in the top three, their application is submitted to a draw made at the end of the year.
“It’s open to everyone and anyone because that was the goal really, to give everyone something to come for,” says Selke. “It does two things: it educates them about the riders … and it gives them a chance to win a lot of money.”
CTE is a charity created by Angelstone founder Keean White and features education seminars led by Olympic riders such as Eric Lamaze and Ian Miller.
By having top-tier competitors at the ring, Selke said, it makes students of the riding academy more aware of future possibilities and makes the community more aware of all that Angelstone offers.
“It brings international riders to town and to the community and it just offers the highest calibre venue to these people,” said Selke.
The venue itself was modeled after one of the world’s premier show jumping rings in Lexington, Kentucky, starting with one ring and growing to accommodate five – and making a name for itself in the international community.
Selke says White simply wanted to bring life to a sport he felt wasn’t getting the recognition it deserved.
“He just looked at the industry and felt like it wasn’t running the way other sport industries run. It wasn’t like a football game or soccer game– there was no life in the sport,” she said.
By creating Angelstone, “he thought we would bring spectators and sponsors and an element of fun and make it an event.”
Angelstone will be hosting three more Super Saturday events this season, which are free to the community: Aug. 23 and 30, with the final show and scholarship draw on Oct. 4. Events start at 4pm with the grounds closing at 11pm.
